Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Do you try to rush God?

Our teacher in Sunday School this past week told us a hilarious, yet convicting story, about a child's prayer. It struck home with me, especially since God had been dealing with this in my heart already.

Here it is:

A little boy knelt by his bed to pray. "God, if You just give me this new red tricycle that I want, I promise, I'll be good for a year. I won't ask for anything else for a whole year!"

He started thinking, and realized that wasn't true. He tried again. "Okay, God, if you give me this new tricycle, I promise - I'll be set for 6 months! Half a year!"

Still not really accurate. He tried praying about a month, then a week. Still didn't feel he could keep his end of the promise.

He ran to the living room, grabbed the statue of Mary from the mantle, and shoved it under his bed. Then he knelt, and prayed. "God, if You ever want to see Your mother again, You'll give me that tricycle!"

HAHAHA! And.... "oops".

Are you guilty of the same today? Are you making empty promises in your prayer life? Are you bargaining with God? Are you making ransom requests?

Or are you coming to Him, with full confidence and faith, not only that He is able, but that He knows the best way and the best timing? Are you giving God suggestions on how to answer your prayer? Or stepping back and giving it up to Him?

This isn't easy, guys. It's downright HARD. But all things are possible with Christ who gives us strength. And the resulting freedom is WORTH IT.

What's your tricycle today?

6 comments:

Tonya said...

I have a few tricycles, I've never been good with waiting for God in the past. I'm trying to turn that around. As often as I can when i have those thoughts of "I can't wait" "this isn't good" or w/e it may be I'm trying to replace it with a Biblical truth or verse.
It's not easy, it doesn't even feel like its working yet but I'm a work in progress. Change takes time

Dionna said...

Great post. I have been struggling with this very thing and trying to safeguard myself in my prayers to the Lord. I tell Him to answer with a resounding "NO" if I'm pushing too hard to get my way. :) I only want His will. Ultimately. Even though patience and perseverence are so tough.

Dionna said...

Great post. I have been struggling with this very thing and trying to safeguard myself in my prayers to the Lord. I tell Him to answer with a resounding "NO" if I'm pushing too hard to get my way. :) I only want His will. Ultimately. Even though patience and perseverence are so tough.

Anonymous said...

Guilty of it today :(

emii said...

That made me snort.
And think.

emii said...
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